On Saturday 1st June 2002 I boarded the 9.35 am Virgin Rail service
to Glasgow at New Street Station in Birmingham. I was seated in the last
carriage and after a time it became apparent that one passenger was being
a bit of a nuisance. I was able to reasonably ascertain that this adult
Asian man, travelling alone, was autistic however.

To me what constitutes a nuisance is subjective of course, and I believe
autism is only a "nuisance" in a social setting, a sort of `breaking of
the rules', unlike say hooligan behaviour which is all to prevalent on
public transport. So I'll give an example of what was going on with him
and other passengers.

"Can I hold your baby"
"No"
"Can I touch your baby"
"No"
"How old is your baby"
.....etc.
You get the idea, only a nuisance in a social setting, not obeying
the "rules". He was not threatening and didn't do anything people told
him not too (once he had asked).

As we approached northern areas such as Manchester and Stockport
I was aware that a Virgin Rail staff member was making enquiries in the
carriage but didn't take that much notice.

A bit further along the journey in this half-full carriage the
person I assume was autistic introduced himself to me as Richard Windsor
(aged about 25 I would say) travelling to Glasgow. We were chatting but
then the Virgin Rail staff member called him out of the carriage. I should
have gone along to explain or volunteered to sit with him on the journey
( feel a bit bad now that I did neither) but thought maybe the staff member
would understand, it seemed obvious to me.

At Lancaster station the autistic man was put off the train (
I should have protested then too. I have seen TV documentaries about Virgin
staff though and they are often not nice in such circumstances). The man
was removed by force onto the pavement outside the station by the staff
member when he began walking up the platform but not directly out. This
was disturbing to witness as it appears Virgin Rail have no understanding
of austism.

The staff member then remained on the platform laughing with
other rail staff as the train pulled out.

Not nice.

At Glasgow there were Asians waiting (maybe for him I don't know
as I didn't ask them. Another one of those situations where you'd think
you'd do something but you don't) but so far from his destination he may
have got into further difficulties.